Amazons Moving to Oceanside?

I was walking my dogs early one morning, something I do most every day. This particular day we were walking along Pacific St, along the beach. I kept hearing a soft voice, “Pretty Baby”…. It echoed. I thought my imagination was working overtime.

There, I heard it again. I looked up to find six beautiful Amazon Parrots sitting on a telephone wire. One obviously had been someone’s pet at some point in time. He was quite a talker. Anyone passing by probably thought I was crazy as my excitement showed. Standing there, leashes in one hand, gesturing for one of the birds to come a little closer. “Step up”, I gave the command.

The bird had tasted freedom and wanted nothing to do with me. He squawked a long squeal and off he flew. The others followed. However, they did not go far. Daily, after that I could hear the birds. You cannot mistake the sound of the Amazon Parrott. Once you recognize their sound, you will easily see the birds.

Speaking with a resident I was told that several years before a few birds had escaped the confines of a pet store. They have actually been multiplying in the wild. The full flock is up to twelve. They have split the flock and six remain in Oceanside and six have located to Carlsbad. They can all be seen flying together from time to time.

Our morning walks soon became a routine in my day. Nearly every morning around 7:00 am and every evening before the sun sets, I make it a point to walk the dogs. I have not failed to see the birds. They flew so low one evening that I could almost reach up and touch them as they flew past my upstairs balcony.

Next time you are out walking along Pacific St., be sure to look up. And if you hear a sweet soft voice “Pretty Baby”…. It most likely will not be your imagination.